BlackBerry Storm 9500 Comprehensive Review of Specs Features Pricing and Drawbacks

Overview of the BlackBerry Storm 9500

The BlackBerry Storm 9500, launched in November 2008, was a significant step forward for Research In Motion (RIM) in the smartphone market. It was the first touchscreen BlackBerry device, designed to compete with the rising popularity of touchscreen phones such as the iPhone. The device was well-anticipated in the market due to RIM's reputation for producing high-quality mobile devices, particularly within the business sector.

Design and Display

The Storm 9500 features a compact design with dimensions of 112.5 x 62.2 x 14 mm and a weight of 155 g. Its design was quite robust for its time, featuring a mini-SIM slot, which was the standard for many smartphones. One of the standout features of the Storm 9500 is its 3.25-inch TFT display capable of showing 65K colors with a resolution of 360 x 480 pixels. This screen configuration offered clarity and brightness, which were essential for multimedia and mobile browsing.

The touchscreen itself was a unique piezoelectric touchscreen, allowing the screen to physically click in when pressed, a feature known as SurePress. This mechanism was designed to provide tactile feedback to users, simulating the click experience of traditional keyboard buttons without sacrificing the touchscreen utility.

Camera and Multmedia Features

For capturing photos and videos, the Storm 9500 is equipped with a 3.15 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, marking a solid, if not exceptional, performance for its time. It also supports video recording at 320p resolution. While the camera quality might seem modest compared to today's standards, it was quite competitive during its release period.

On the audio front, the device comes with a 3.5mm audio jack and a loudspeaker, offering clear audio signals. Although it lacks an FM radio, its support for various audio file formats compensated for that to some extent. Sound quality tests indicated satisfactory performance with a noise level of -87.6dB and crosstalk at -85.8dB.

Performance and Software

The internal components of the Storm 9500 include the Qualcomm MSM7600 chipset powered by a 528 MHz ARM 11 processor and an Adreno 130 GPU. With an internal storage of 1GB and 128MB RAM, the phone provided a reasonable amount of space for applications and modest multitasking capabilities. An expandable microSDHC slot was included, with an 8GB card provided, allowing users to increase storage capacity for music, videos, and other files.

Running on the BlackBerry OS, the Storm 9500 ensured stability and a broad range of applications that appealed to both consumers and business professionals alike. Although lacking the vast array of apps available on iOS or Android systems, BlackBerry's OS catered to the needs of its core users, providing reliable performance and robust security features.

Connectivity and Network

The Storm 9500 supports GSM and HSPA technology, allowing for roaming on both 2G and 3G networks. It features standard connectivity options, including GPS and A-GPS for navigation, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support for wireless audio devices, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging. However, it lacks Wi-Fi capability and doesn't offer a radio, which may be a limitation for users seeking these wireless options.

Battery Life

This smartphone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery. With this battery capacity, the device can hold up to 360 hours on standby and provides up to 5 hours 30 minutes of talk time. This level of battery life was adequate for moderate daily use during its time, ensuring that users could rely on the Storm 9500 for communication throughout the day without frequent recharging. The removable battery also provided users the convenience of carrying a spare battery for extended use.

Additional Features and Considerations

Among its notable features, the Storm 9500 includes an accelerometer sensor, which enhances the user's experience with interactive applications and screen orientation adjustments. The pre-installed HTML browser allows web browsing, although the absence of Wi-Fi limits internet connectivity largely to cellular data plans.

In terms of design aesthetics, the device was launched in a sleek black color. Safety ratings indicated SAR levels of 0.57 W/kg for the head and 0.50 W/kg for the body, meeting the safety standards of its time. The device originally retailed for approximately 80 EUR, making it a mid-range option for users seeking a touch interface experience on a BlackBerry phone.

The Legacy and Impact

The BlackBerry Storm 9500 represented a bold innovation for RIM, venturing into the touchscreen dominated landscape of mobile phones. While it faced criticism for its often sensitive and inconsistent screen input, it laid essential groundwork for future BlackBerry models, influencing later designs and touchscreen functionalities.

The device’s impact was most notable in that it marked BlackBerry’s commitment to diversifying its product offerings beyond the traditional QWERTY keyboard design, acknowledging the importance of evolving user demands in a rapidly changing industry. Despite its discontinuation, the Storm 9500 is remembered for its contributions to mobile design and user interaction challenges at the time of its release.